Women Helping Women

SILENT QUILT AUCTION TO BENEFIT WOMEN IN SUDAN

The Weston Town Crier reports, “Quilt to provide comfort for Sudan.”

Bid on this quilt to support the work of My Sister’s Keeper!

It all happened so naturally as it is wont to do when women are together … creativity emerging, a plan evolving, an outcome that nurtures others.

We were at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston on a glorious July summer day looking at the exhibit, “The Quilts of Gee’s Bend.” Ten of us were eating turkey wraps and nectarines at a picnic following the tour. We had been moved and inspired by the quilts these women from Gee’s Bend, Alabama had made. From modest material magnificent creations of beauty and practicality were born.  We marveled in the sense of community and joy these women expressed.

Someone suggested we try making our own quilt. The sewers in the group lit up.  The non-stitchers shied away. But then the idea of making a quilt to benefit others overtook the shy feelings and we decided to proceed. Women helping women we thought. The women of Gee’s Bend blessed us, how could we pass the blessing along?

The quilt is now complete. It was a joy to collaborate on the project, to connect with the essence of fabric itself, to stretch beyond our immediate comfort zone. It is a symbol of love, an expression of womanhood.

We plan on selling the quilt this fall via silent auction. The proceeds will benefit My Sister’s Keeper.

My Sister’s Keeper is a Boston women-led and women-focused humanitarian action group with the objective of supporting the formerly enslaved women in southern Sudan as they reclaim their lives.  Founded by Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, co-Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Boston and pediatrician at the South End Community Health Center, some recent activities of My Sister’s Keeper include The Grinding Mill Project, support for My Sister’s Keeper School for Girls, and launching the Kazuri Beads Earned Income Initiative.  Our contribution from the quilt auction will go to the School for Girls – to help with the construction of five more classrooms as well as teacher training.

The quilt is on tour now!  It can be seen in the front window at the Cambridge Trust Bank in Weston Center.  Bids can be left for the quilt at the bank, by mail, or email at  mail@inspirationhouse.org. As of September 24, the quilt and auction moves to First Parish, the stone church on the town green.